Riwo Sangcho - is a profound Vajrayana Buddhist practice of Sang offering. The purpose of Riwo Sangchö is to realize the perfection of wisdom, by accumulating merits through two main aspects of practice: offerings, and purification - especially of impurity and of obstructions.
The benefits of Riwo Sangcho practice are multifaceted, affecting both the external world and the internal state of the practitioner. From the perspective of Tibetan Buddhism, it is not merely a ritual but a powerful method for transforming the mind and the surrounding reality.
Purification of Space: The smoke from the sang (sacred substances) purifies the atmosphere of negative energies, pollution, and defilements accumulated from the negative actions and thoughts of sentient beings.
Pacification of Local Spirits and Forces: This is one of the main goals. The practice makes an offering and creates harmony with the spirits of the locality, mountains, rivers, and trees. This helps:
Remove obstacles that these beings might create (illnesses, misfortunes, conflicts).
Establish balance in the ecosystem and make the area more conducive for spiritual practice.
Aiding Other Beings: The smoke, visualized as nectar, food, and bliss, serves as an offering and alleviates the suffering of hungry ghosts (pretas) and other beings in a state of need.
Purification of Negative Karma: The practice specifically purifies the consequences of negative actions, speech, and thoughts committed in the past, especially broken samaya vows in Vajrayana.
Accumulation of Merit (Punya): Through the act of generously offering smoke to all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and protectors, the practitioner accumulates a vast amount of positive karma, which is the "fuel" for spiritual progress and favorable conditions in life.
Cultivation of Bodhichitta: The practice is motivated by the desire to benefit all sentient beings without exception. Regularly performing Riwo Sangcho nurtures altruistic intention and loving-kindness (maitri).
Removal of Obstacles: By purifying karma and pacifying external forces, the practice removes obstacles on the path to health, well-being, and success in spiritual practice.
Transformation of Attachment: The fire symbolizes wisdom, which burns the "fuel" of ego, attachment, anger, and ignorance. This is a powerful psychological practice for letting go of what limits us.
Training in Generosity (Dana Paramita): The practitioner cultivates generosity by mentally offering the most beautiful and desirable things in the entire universe. This destroys miserliness and clinging.
Creating a Positive Mindset: The process itself - working with fragrant smoke, reciting mantras, and visualization - calms the mind, sets a positive tone, and creates a feeling of connection with something sublime and pure.